The Blues have signed a five-year deal with the 37-year-old's joint venture firm which will see them provide matchday fayre for hungry punters at the Etihad Stadium.

They are used to signing big-name players on the pitch and now Manchester City have snapped up one off it - celebrity TV chef Jamie Oliver.

The Blues have signed a five-year deal with the 37-year-old's joint venture firm which will see them provide matchday fayre for hungry punters at the Etihad Stadium.

Fans may be concerned that calorific terrace favourites such as pies and pasties may be off the menu as Oliver is a renowned campaigner and promoter of healthy foods.

But the club have welcomed the deal, which will kick-off in July 2013 and supply all public concessions, hospitality areas and the City Square fan zone.

Oliver, who shot to fame in the late 90s, is close friends with David Beckham and even owns one of the former United hero's shirts.

City supporters need not worry though - the only United for him is local team Cambridge United - of whom he is a lifelong fan.

The value of the deal has not been announced but is likely to provide a shot in the arm to the Blues' bid to comply with Uefa's financial fair play regulations as they look to increase commercial revenue.

Tom Glick, chief commercial and operating officer, said: “It is our ambition to create a world class customer experience for everybody who visits the Etihad Stadium. We are looking forward to working with these two leading brandsas we continue to develop our stadium to achieve this aim.”

Nigel Harris, Managing director of Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts added: “Fabulous Feasts has proven over the last couple of years that we can deliver world class food on a grand scale.

“Our passion for providing tasty food to the public is second to none and so we’re enormously excited to be working with Manchester City and Legends to offer what we believe will be the best stadium catering in the Premier League.

“We’ve been in discussions with the club for many months and we now have a dedicated team in place to ensure that the hospitality at the Etihad Stadium is truly something special.”
Dave Checketts, from partner company Legends, also backed the deal.

He said: "We have long sought out to expand our footprint internationally and think Manchester City and Etihad Stadium are the perfect start and fit quite well with our stable of iconic venues.

"Our experience providing exceptional food and beverage to millions of fans and passion for delivering premium customer service at these venues combined with Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts' credibility, brand recognition and market knowledge provides an offering that we feel Manchester City supporters will truly enjoy.”

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